Prof. Dr. Erhun Kula - ZAMAN
Although Turkey recognized the Republic of Armenia immediately after the collapse of USSR, neighbourly relations between Turkey and Armenia could not be established. The reason was occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenians during the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia between February 1988 and May 1994.
Despite all the calls of United Nations, Armenian troops still did not withdraw from the region and Azerbaijani population who had to flee from the region still live in refugee camps in Azerbaijan. Right wing in Armenia, especially ARF Dashnaktsutyun's leader Armen Rustemyan accused Turkey of taking Azerbaijani side and intervening the problem between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Turkey and Armenia signed protocols in Zurich and made steps towards establishment of neighbourly relations. But nationalist circles in both countries launched activities to provocate Turkish nationalists and Armenian diaspora to sabotage the process. Anti-governmental circles in Turkey have a special mission; to sabotage Justice and Development Party's "zero problems with neighbours" foreign policy at all costs. The bilateral problems that are highlighted by Turkish press are;
* Ongoing Armenian occupation in Nagorno-Karabakh
* Fabrication of an Armenian genocide allegation referring to the forced-displacement of Ottoman Armenians during WWI.
* Assassination of Turkish diplomats by Armenian terrorist organization ASALA
* Isolation of Armenia from the current regional energy projects and the probability that upcoming regional projects may also not include Armenia.
If you ask me, the biggest problem between Turkey and Armenia are not one of these. Our biggest problem with Armenia is the Metzamor Nuclear Power Plant which is situated just 16 km distance from our border with Armenia. The power plant was built in 1970's and it still used although it is not safe. The power plant was providing 40% of Armenia's electricity until the strong earthquake in 1988.
The plant, which was shut down because of the earthquake, was switched on again following the energy shortage in 1993 due to the Turkish embargo. The plant is still being operated despite the calls of EU and United States that operating the nuclear power plant (NPP) is very dangerous and it does not meet international standards.
But which country would suffer the most if an accident like Chernobyl or Three Mile Island takes place in Metzamor? The biggest part of the disaster will take place in Turkey. Millions of Turkish people is under danger. A probable accident may affect Kars, Agri, Igdir, Artvin, Ardahan, Rize and Erzurum. It is scary even to think about how many people would die or suffer of cancer in these regions. Moreover, the effect of the accident would last for long years and maybe people would have to be evacuated from these regions. Kind of ethnical cleansing.
How will it affect the other regions of Turkey? Istanbul Technical University holds researches on this issue and a part of these studies were announced by Associate Professor Tayfun Kindap to the press (Sabah, 17.01.2010). The study shows that most of the country is under risk. In the case of an accident in the NPP, which is situated only 16 km distance from Turkey's border to Armenia, the disaster will leave a huge damage on the economy of Turkey and it will even cause the economy of some regions to totally collapse.
Turkey's embargo against Armenia was one of the factors for Armenia to switch on the NPP again in 1993. It is a duty of patriotism to continue the process of normalization of relations with Armenia and to assist (Armenians) shutting down the Nuclear Power Plant.
Historyoftruth.com
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